Environmental Effects of Fast-Food (French)
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U
N
D
A
M
E
N
T
A
L
S
O
F
Organic Agriculture
The primary goal
What Is Organic Agriculture?
of organic agriculture is to optimize the health
A
and productivity
of interdependent
According to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) of the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA), organic agriculture is “an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on
communities of
management practices that restore, maintain, or enhance ecological harmony. The
soil life, plants,
primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of
animals, and people.
interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals, and people.” (NOSB, 2003)
Though the term “organic” is defined by law (see “Legal” section on pages 3 and 4), the terms “natural” and “eco-friendly” are not. Labels that contain those terms may imply some organic methods were used in the production of the foodstuff but do not guarantee complete adherence to organic practices as defined by a law. Some products marketed as “natural” may have been produced with synthetic or manufactured products (those not considered to be “organic”), such as “natural beef.”
While eco-labels are encouraged for producers interested in lowering synthetic inputs and farming with ecological principles in mind (biodiversity, soil quality, biological pest control), eco-labels are not regulated as strictly as USDA organic labels.
Products labeled as “organic” meet strict legal requirements, including certification by a third party.
PM 1880 May 2003
F
U
N
D
A
M
E
N
T
A
L
S
O
F
Organic Agriculture
O
. . . the largest purchasers of
U.S. Statistics
T
Organic agriculture is the oldest form of
The USDA reported on organic
U
N
D
A
M
E
N
T
A
L
S
O
F
Organic Agriculture
The primary goal
What Is Organic Agriculture?
of organic agriculture is to optimize the health
A
and productivity
of interdependent
According to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) of the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA), organic agriculture is “an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on
communities of
management practices that restore, maintain, or enhance ecological harmony. The
soil life, plants,
primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of
animals, and people.
interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals, and people.” (NOSB, 2003)
Though the term “organic” is defined by law (see “Legal” section on pages 3 and 4), the terms “natural” and “eco-friendly” are not. Labels that contain those terms may imply some organic methods were used in the production of the foodstuff but do not guarantee complete adherence to organic practices as defined by a law. Some products marketed as “natural” may have been produced with synthetic or manufactured products (those not considered to be “organic”), such as “natural beef.”
While eco-labels are encouraged for producers interested in lowering synthetic inputs and farming with ecological principles in mind (biodiversity, soil quality, biological pest control), eco-labels are not regulated as strictly as USDA organic labels.
Products labeled as “organic” meet strict legal requirements, including certification by a third party.
PM 1880 May 2003
F
U
N
D
A
M
E
N
T
A
L
S
O
F
Organic Agriculture
O
. . . the largest purchasers of
U.S. Statistics
T
Organic agriculture is the oldest form of
The USDA reported on organic
References: Bowman, G. (ed.). 1997. Steel in the Field—A farmer’s IDALS (Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S